Lately I have been thinking a lot about what it means to "blog" these days, how far this blog has progressed and where it started.

There is pressure in this community to be very specific with subject matter, to stay to true to a niche and to write headlines like this: 5 WAYS TO WRITE HEADLINES or THE 1 SECRET TO WRITING HEADLINES THAT NO ONE WILL EVER TELL YOU.

I started MappCraft.com for two reasons.

I love writing

I love outfits

As I try to figure out my direction — and work to perfect a lovely Up, Close and Personal Style piece about my dear friend Ada Polla - I thought I'd share what was ultimately the best received blog post I ever published.

Maybe you can tell me why?

xoxo

Jenn

May 2015: AKA Before Erin Nicole Brown photography

Alternate Realities

I have been awake since 5:45AM. Someone left the sunroof open in my car and it rained. There is a pimple the size of Manassas on my lip. The baby is congested and teething. It feels impossible to get anything cleaned or organized with a full time job and small children. Our refrigerator is very small. Daycare costs more than a mortgage in a normal town. I waste too much money on Starbucks. I am having a bad hair day.

Or

Our new home has a playroom. It takes 14 minutes to get to my office from my driveway. I am paid to make Cibu hair products. People love Fresh Crunch pickles. It is nearly summertime. The bruises on my triceps are from extended side crow. I’ve been blessed with beautiful children, a very cute dog and an excellent cook for a husband. Everything is funny. The peonies are blooming. Life is full of creative opportunity.

Which of version of my story is more interesting? Which version of your story do you tell each day?

Today’s outfit is so much more put together than warranted for my level of fatigue. Why? Because last night I said eff it, let the baby cry a little in her crib and ruthlessly edited my summer capsule down to 33 items, exactly. More on that story later.